A09339:1508
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I believe in God. &c.AN EXPOSITION OF THE CREED. I beleeue in God. &c.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, because we are set apart in Christ, to become spiritual priests unto God, we must therefore offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable unto him: and they be in number seven. The first is an affiance whereby we rest upon God, as David saith,1 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness and trust in the Lord. The second is wholly to subject our selves to the ministry of the Gospel, ⟨p. 269⟩that we may be changed and converted by it, as Paul saith,2 That he ministereth the Gospel to the Gentiles, that the offering up of them might be acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost. The third is, all manner of prayers and supplications made unto God. Let my prayer, saith David,3 be directed in thy sight as incense, and the lifting up of mine hands as an evening sacrifice. The fourth is praising and thanksgiving unto God.4 Let us by him offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is, the fruit of the lips which confess his name. And in the Revelation the golden vials full of odours are the prayers of the Saints.5 The fifth is the relief of our poor brethren according to our ability, as Paul saith,6 I was even filled after that I had received of Epaphroditus that which came from you, an odour that smelleth sweet, a sacrifice pleasant and acceptable to God. The sixth is the denial of our selves with a contrite and broken heart. The seventh is,7 to resign our selves, bodies, and souls wholly to the service of God:8 Set your selves (saith Paul) to God, as they that are alive from the dead: and your members as weapons of righteousness unto God. In which words he alludes to the manner of the old Testament: when a man offered any sacrifice for himself, he brought the beast into the temple or tabernacle and set it before the altar, in token that he did resign it unto God: and so we for our parts must not give our bodies & souls to become the instruments of sin and satan, but we must have them always in readiness, freely presenting them unto God that he may have the whole disposition of them according to his good pleasure, to the honour and glory of his name. Again, in the whole burnt offering all was consumed and turned to smoke, no man having benefit of it, to signify, that we must give our selves not in part but wholly to the service of God, even to death if need be.